By Geri Silk
Saturday was a bittersweet night full of tears of sadness, laughter and joy, as Mad Agnes began a leg of its farewell tour after 10 years of triumphant touring in the U.S. and abroad.
The trio Margo Hennebach, Adrienne Jones, and Mark Saunders also were celebrating the release of their newest CD, Hush, by far their most versatile and finely tuned album. They played to a nearly sold-out house at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in Morris Township.
Their musical pastiche spanned from humorous to experimental to lushly sensual. Their harmonies are so unique and fulfilling that it often seems there are more than only three singers.
The Mads played such old favorites as In Spring, Martine, and The Perfect Planet—a song commissioned for the Riverview Elementary School in Denville for its Earth Day celebration.
They also sang an appetizing food medley about chocolate, Julia Child, and Breakfast Blues.
The song After the Music perhaps foretells what comes next after the trio quits touring next year:
After the music is a silence
There is stillness
It is the sound of the mind
It is the sound of the heart.
On Sunday morning, Margo, Adrienne and Mark showed up bright and early to play for two services at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship—including a special performance in the children’s chapel.
The biggest treat was the newly recorded song Peace like a River, joined by the 20-voice fellowship choir.
Peace Like a River by Adrienne Jones, performed by Mad Agnes:
[audio:https://morristowngreen.com/files/2010/10/12-Peace-Like-a-River.mp3|titles=12 Peace Like a River]
When asked why they plan to give up touring, each member of Mad Agnes gave a thoughtful response.
“We are making space for something new to open up,” Mark said. “We are enjoying all of our last visits to places we’ve played over the last ten years.”
Margo mused that they would be leaving a “little more space wide open to see what synchronicity will bring in… to see what the universe puts in our lives.”
Adrienne: “It’s time to create a space where something can emerge artistically. New Images. I want to learn to play the cello and I am renovating a 211 year old home.”
Mad Agnes returns to the Morristown area on Jan. 7 at The Minstrel (on the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship stage) and on April 9, at the Sanctuary Concerts in Chatham.
Geri Silk, MFA, ADTR, RDT-BCT, is a Dance Movement Therapist and Aquasize teacher. She works with innovative and creative learning styles for special populations.
MORE ON MAD AGNES:
Mad Agnes farewell tour swings through Morris Township on Saturday
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